Appleton 
Faithful  and  wise  Servant 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Commodore  Byron  McCandless 


Mr. 


DIS  COURSE 

i  • 
„  t  Qccalioned  by  the  DEATH  of 

•  . .  • 

Dr.  Wigglefworth* 


A  faithful  and  "Wife  Servant,  had  in 
Honour,  throughout  the  Churches. 


DISCOURSE 

Occafioned  by  the  much  lamented   DEATH 
OF     THE 

Rev.  EDWARD  WIGGLESWORTH,  D.D, 

H  DLL  is  Profeffor  of  Divinity  in  HARVARD 
College,  Cambridge; 

Who   departed   this   Life,    January    16.    1765. 
In  the  73d  Year  of  his  Age. 

Having  faithfully  and  laudably  difcharged  the  Office  of 
PROFESSOR,  for  more    than    42   Years. 


By  NATHANIEL  ATTLETON,  A.M. 

Paftor  of  the  fir  ft  Church  in  CAMBRIDGE. 


Forafmuch  as    an  excellent    fpirit,   and    knowledge,    and 

underftanding, and  {hewing  of  hard  fentences,  and 

diflblving   of  doubts,    were  found  in   the  fame  Daniel. 

And  they  that  be  wife  fhall  fhine  as  the  brightnefs 

of  the  firmament.  The  Prophet  DANIEL. 


BOSTON,   NEW-ENGLAND: 

Printed    by   RICHARD    and  SAMUEL    DRAPER, 
and  THOMAS  and  JOHN  FLEET,  176;, 


. 


Funeral  SERMON 


ON     THE 

Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTR 


2  CORINTHIANS,  VIII.   18. 

The  Brother^  -whofe  *Praife  is  in  the 
)  throughout  all  the  Churches. 


AS  we  are  not  told  who  this  brothei  was  that 
the  apoflle  fent  with  Titus  on  a  fpecial 
occafion  to  Corinth  ;  fo  there  can  be  only 
conjecture  about  the  matter.  Several  names  arc 
mentioned,  fuch  as  Barnabas,  that  fon  of  confolation, 
and  Silas,  and  Apollos,  and  Mark  ;  and  efpecially 
Luke,  who  wrote  the  gofpel  which  goes  by  his  name, 
upon  the  account  of  which  gofpel  he  became  fa 
mous  in  all  the  churches.  The  extraordinary 
chara&er  here  given  of  this  brother  might  be  as 
defcriptive  of  him,  and  as  clearly  point  him  out  at 
that  day,  as  if  he  had  been  exprefsly  mentioned 

by 


956? 


6  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

t 
by  name.     But  it  is  not  material,  nor  to  our  prefent 

purpofe,  to  know  who  he  was  :  For  all  that  we  have 
to  do  is  with  the  ihort,  but  high  commendation 
which  is  given  of  him. 

AND  here  we  may  obferve  firft  of  all  that  he 
is  fliled  a  brother  ;  by  which  is  underflood  not  merely 
a  chriftian  brother,  a  believer,  and  brother  in  Chrifl : 
But  a  brother  and  companion  in  the  gofpel  miniftry; 
a  fellow  -worker  unto  the  kingdom  of  God:  Equally 
engaged  and  concerned  with  the  other  minifters, 
kl  eftabliihing  and  promoting  the  gofpel. 

IN  the  next  place,  we  may  obferve  the  commen 
dation  thar  is  given  of  this  brother  minifler. > 

He  was  had  in  pralfe  and  high  commendcition. 

There  were  excellent  accomplifhments,  and  ami 
able  qualities  in  him,  which  flione  forth  fo  con- 
fpicuoufly,  that  he  was  highly  efleemed  and  greatly 
jefpe&ed.  We  may  fuppofe  he  was  in  high  repu 
tation  for  his  eminent  gifts  of  knowledge,  \vifdom, 
filth,  zeal,  and  fledfaftnefs,  with  which  he  was 
endowed  by  the  fpirit  of  God. 

FURTHER,  let  us  confider  the  extenfivenefi  of 
this  high  efteem  and  reputation  he  was  in. — \Vhofe 
praife  is  throughout  all  the  churches.  Which  is  to 
be  underflood  not  only  of  the  members ;  but  of 
the  minifters  of  the  churches.  His  gifts  and  ac 
compli  fliments  were  fo  fuperiour  and  exteiifive,  that 
they  were  not  confined  to  any  particular  church, 
or  to  any  private- and  retired  corner  of  the  vineyard, 

\vherc 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.  9 

where  his  gifts  and  graces  would  be  out  of  general 
view,  and  very  much  buried  in  obfcurity  :  But  God 
fo  ordered  it  that  his  rare  accompliftiments  ftiould 
be  publickly  known  and  acknowledged.  We  may 
fuppofe  his  preaching,  his  writings,  and  other  mi* 
niflerial  fervices^  rendered  him  very  famous  even 
in  all  the  churches.  Very  likely  he  was  well 
known  to  the  apoftles,  and  other  miniflers  of  Chrifl 
in  general,  who  difcerned  the  excellent  qualities 
he  was  endowed  with ;  and  gave  forth  fuch  high 
commendations  of  him,  as  fpread  his  fame  through 
all  the  churches ;  fo  that  they  were  all  filled  with 
the  high  praifes  of  him. 

AGAIN,  let  us  confider  the  particular  point  rot 
which  he  was  more  efpecially  had  in  fuch  high 
reputation :  And  that  was  with  reference  to  the 
gofpel.  Wbofepraife  is  in  the  GOSPEL  ;  or  for  the 
gofpel.  Whatever  his  knowledge  and  accomplifh- 
ments  were  as  to  other  things ;  yet  it  was  for  his 
knowledge  of  Chrift,  and  of  the  great  things  of  the 
gofpel,  that  he  became  fo  famous  in  the  churches. 
He  was  well  inftru&ed,  and,  we  may  fuppofe, 
eminent  for  his  knowledge,  in  the  things  of  God 
and  the  diilinguilhing  points  of  chriftianity.  And 
if  this  brother  was  Luke  the  evangelift  (which  was 
the  prevailing  opinion  of  the  ancients)  he  was  emi*- 
nently  inftructed  in  the  gofpel  hiftory ;  and  fo  ift 
the  .do&rines  and  principles  of  chriftianity.  We  may 
well  fuppofe  him  to  be  mighty  in  the  fcriptures? 
and  that  he,  like  the  great  apoflle  Paul,  reafoned 
with  the  people  out  of  the  holy  fcriptures,  opening 

anil 


8  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

and  alleging  that  Jefus  was  the  Chrift.  A&s  xvii. 
2,  3.  His  difcourfes  on  thofe  points  were  highly 
efteemed ;  and  great  weight  was  laid  on  his 
judgment  in  difficult  points  of  the  gofpel,  in 
matters  of  controverfy,  or  of  doubtful  difputation. 

BUT  then  we  may  conclude  further,  that  his 
praife  in  the  gofpel,  throughout  all  the  churches, 
was  for  the  known  ftedfaftnefs  of  his  faith,  and  the 
uniformity  of  his  temper  and  behaviour  with  this 
gofpel  he  profeffed,  preached  up,  and  recommended 
to  others.  His  knowledge  and  faith,  his  temper 
and  manner  of  life,  were  all  of  a  piece,  and  accord 
ing  to  the  gofpel :  Without  which  we  cannot 
fuppofe  that  his  praife  would  have  been  in  all  the 
churches. 

LASTLY,  I  would  obferve  the  emphatic  article 
that  is  here  affixed  to  this  brother.  The  brother. 
It  is  not  faid  we  have  fent  with  Titus  a  brother,  but 
the  brother,  by  way  of  diflinftion,  and  eminency 
above  the  other  brethren  in  the  miniftry  :  And  as 
one  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  fervice  upon  which  he 
was  fent.  He  was  pitched  upon  as  the  brother, 
the  very  man  above  all  the  reft  to  be  employed  in 
the  fervice  he  was  fent  upon.  No  man  like  minded, 
no  man  fo  eminently  fitted  for  the  bufinefs  he  was 
employed  in. 

AFTER  fuch  a  large  opening  the  text  (by  which 
the  fuitablenefs  thereof  to  the  prefent  difpenfation 
of  Divine  Providence  may  very  obvioufly  appear 
to  every  one)  I  proceed  for  the  further  illustration 
of  the  fubjeft  toconfider.  ift, 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          9 

I  ft,  Some  of  tbofe  gofpel  qualifications  which  de- 
(ervedly  intitle  a  man  to  uni'verfal  praife  ;  to  the 
praife  of  all  the  churches. 

2diy,  To  fet  forth  what  a  diftinguijhing  favour 
and  blejjed  attainment  it  is,  to  be  juftly  intitled 
to  univerfal  praife. 

3dly,  Make  feme  proper  improvement,  fuitcd  to  the 
folemn   and  forrowful  o^LJion    that  leads  us   to 
thefe  meditations. 


I.  LET  us  confider  fome  of  thofe  gofpel  qua 
lifications,  -which  defervedly  intitle  a  man  to  uni- 
•verfal  praife  ;  the  praife  of  all  the  churches. 

AND   here  I  will  begin  with 

i  ft.  Exlenfiue  knowledge  in  the  great  things  of  the 

gofpeL 

KNOWLEDGE  is  an  efTential  article  in  a  great 
and  good  man.  For  the  foul  to  be  without  knowledge, 
it  is  not  good.*  And  there  is  no  knowledge  fo 
fublime,  fo  enlarging,  and  enobling  to  the  foul,  as 
the  knowledge  of  God,  and  the  things  of  God ; 
the  knowledge  of  Chrift,  and  the  way  to  falvation 
by  him  :  And  this  is  life  eternal,  to  know  thee  the 
only  true  God,  and  fofv.sChrift  whom  thou.  haftfent.\ 
The  learned  and  great  apoflle  Paul,  who  mufi 
be  allowed  to  be  a  good  judge  of  knowledge  and 
B  learning, 

*  Prov.  XIX.  2.        f  John  XVII.  3. 


to  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

learning,  as  to  the  excellency  and  ufefulnefs  of  it, 
declares  that  he  counted  all  things  but  lofs,  for  the 
excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Chrifl  Jefus  his 
Lord.*  In  the  chriftian  fcheme  of  falvation,  which 
is  contained  in  the  holy  fcriptures,  are  hid  all  the 
treafures  of  divine  wifdom  and  knowledge ;  confe- 
quently  it  mud  needs  be  a  very  laudable  attainment, 
to  have  a  good  and  thorough  acquaintance  with 
the  holy  fcriptures,  thofe  oracles  of  divine  truth  : 
To  be  able  not  only  tcrf|ecite  the  words  of  the  holy 
fcriptures ;  but  to  fee  and  underftand  the  meaning 
of  the  fame.  It  is  very  praife-worthy  to  be  able 
fo  to  fearch  the  fcriptures,  as  to  compare  tranfla- 
rions  \vi;.h  the  original ;  and  to  compare  fpiritual 
things  with  fpiritual ;  one  portion  of  fcripture  with 
another ;  fo  as,  inftead  of  being  carried  away  with 
the  found  of  words,  to  gain  the  true  fenfe  and 
meaning  of  the  feveral  places ;  and  thereby  to  gain 
a  clear  and  comprehenfive  view  of  the  gofpel  fcheme 
of  falvation ;  and  fo  of  the  various  truths  and  duties 
therein  contained. 

MOREOVER,  this  knowledge  of  ihe  gofpel  that 
ii  truly  laudable,  and  would  recommend  to  public 
efteem,  is  a  good  acquaintance  with  the  various 
fenfes  that  have  been  put  upon  places  of  holy  fcrip 
ture;  and  fo  the  various  fentiments,  fyftems  and 
principles  of  chriftianity,  that  have  or  do  prevail  in 
the  world,  whereby  they  may  be  able  to  put  a  mark 
upon  dangerous  errors,  which  have  been  broach 
ed  by  ignorant  men,  who  have  wrefted  the  holy 
fcriptures;  and  to  point  out  the  truth  as  it  is  in,  Jefus. 

FURTHERMORE* 
*  Phil.  in.  g. 


Rev.   Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          n 

.  FURTHERMORE,  another  very  laudable  point 
of  knowledge  in  the  things  of  God,  is  to  underhand 
the  ground  and  foundation  of  our  holy  religion  j 
and  to  get  acquainted  fo  far  both  with  the  internal 
and  external  evidence  of  the  divine  authority  of  the 
holy  fcriptures,  and  fo  of  the  truth  of  chriftianity, 
as  to  be  able  to  convince  gainfayers,  and  to  vindicate 
the  glorious  truths  of  the  gofpel  from  the  captious 
cavils,  or  mere  fubtle  obje&ions  ftarted  by  men  of 
corrupt  ?nindsy  given  to  perverfe  difputings,  and  dejli- 
tide  of  the  truth  :  And  to  be  able  to  fet  in  a  ftrong 
and  convincing  light,  the  arguments  to  prove  the 
holy  fcriptures  to  be  given  by  infpiration  of  God ; 
and  confequently  that  the  gofpel  fcheme  of  falva- 
tion  is  built  upon  a  fure  foundation,  upon  which  we 
may  fafely  venture  our  fouls  and  the  eternal  concerns 
of  them. 

Now,  fuch  an  extenflve  knowledge  of  the 
gofpel,  and  fo  of  the  foundations  of  our  holy  religion, 
is  fuch  a  neceflary  and  excellent  attainment,  that 
thofe  who  make  a  laudable  proficiency  herein, 
merit  highly  of  the  .church  of  God.  Such  men 
have  been  in  one  age  and  another  the  pillars  of 
the  church ;  the  external  props  by  which  the 
church .  has  been  kept  from  finking  into  utter  igno 
rance  and  infidelity. 


sdly.  Soundnefs  of  -principles  ;  adhering  dofely  to 
the  gofpel,  'without  adding  thereto,  or  diminijbing, 
or  varying  therefrom,  is  very  fraife-ivorthy. 

B  2  FOR, 


12  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

FOR,  altho'  orthodoxy,  or  fcundnefs  of  principle?, 
may  be  an  uncertain  phrafe,  inafmuch  as  the  va 
rious  fefts  that  are'  in  the  world,  lay  claim  to  this 
character ;  yet,  as  chriftians  of  all  denominations 
profefs  the  gofpel  to  be  the  only  fure  and  unerring 
rule  of  faith  and  manners ;  fo  thofe  principles 
mutt  be  founded,  which  come  the  neareft  to  the 
flandard.  Confequently,  thofe  perfons  who  not 
only  profeffedly,  but  really  endeavour  to  fquare 
their  faith  and  practice  by  the  doctrines  and  pre 
cepts  of  the  gofpel,  are  to  be  had  in  honour.  And 
where  this  evidently  appears  to  be  the  care  and  en 
deavour  of  any  perfons,  fo  as  neither  to  preach, 
publifh  or  vent  any  thing  as  a  neceiTary  article  of 
faith,  but  what  is  plainly  demonflrated  by  the  word 
of  God;  it  muft  needs  recommend  them  to  the 
church  of  God,  which  is  built  upon  the  founda 
tion  of  the  apoftles  and  prophets,  Jefus  Chrift  being 
the  chief  corner  flone.*  And  therefore  thofe 
teachers  who  have  fo  much  knowledge,  wifdom 
and  humility,  as  not  to  be  wife  above  what  is 
written,  and  make  this  their  ccnflant  inquiry,  in 
all  their  fearches  after  divine  truths,  what  faith 
the  fcripture?  and  whenever  they  fpeak  in  away 
of  teaching,  fpeak  as  the  oracles  of  God  ;  and  ap 
peal  to  thofe  written  facred  oracles,  according  to 
the  true  genuine  meaning  of  the  fame,  for  the  truth 
of  what  they  alTert, .are  highly  to  be  commended, 
and  deferve  the  praifes  of  all  the  churches  of  Chrift  : 
Which  will  appear  by  confidering  the  dreadful 
errors,  fuperftitions,  corruptions,  and  idolatries,  the 
church  fell  into,  when  they  departed  from  this 

only 

If,  39. 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          13 

only  unerring  rule,  and  fee  up  an  infallible  head 
on  earth  ;  and  taught  for  do&rines  the  traditions 
and  commandments  of  men. 

AND  how  well  did  thofe  glorious  worthies  de- 
ferve  of  the  church  of  Chrift,  who  boldly  and 
courageoufly  began  a  reformation,  and  ftrenuoufly 
endeavoured  to  reduce  the  church  to  its  original 
foundation,  the  holy  fcriptures?  And  howjuftly 
are  the  names  of  thofe  firfl  reformers  handed  down 
with  honour  throughout  all  the  proteftant  churches 
in  the  world  ?  But,  inafmuch  as  even  the  reformed 
churches  have  not  gotten  fo  compleatly  upon  the 
original  bafts  as  is  to  be  defired  ;  it  mud  needs  be 
very  praife-worthy  for  thofe  who  are  fet  up  to  be 
teachers  of  others,  to  labour  to  fix  them  more  and 
more  upon  the  gofpel  foundation,  without  the  par 
ticular  fchemes,  fyftems,  or  inventions  of  men  j  or 
indeed  fo  much  as  the  expreffions  of  men  in  fuch 
grand  myflerious  points,  wherein  ive  know  not  bow 
to  order  our  fpeecb  by  reafon  of  darknefs. 


.  The  gift  of  opening  the  holy  fcriptures  ;  fet  ting 
forth  the  truths  and  duties  contained  therein,  in 
a  true,  diftintt  and  dear  light,  is  what  recom 
mends  teachers  to  the  churches  of  the  Lord  Jefus. 

THIS  implies  a  capacious  mind,  a  clear  head, 
extenfive  knowledge,  diftinft  ideas,  and  reach  of 
thought,  obtained,  or  improved,  by  much  reading 
and  ftudy,  a  careful  weighing  matters,  and  laying 
ihem  together.  And  fcirely  fuch  natural  endow 

ments, 


14  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

ments,  improved  by  clofe  application  to  meditation 
and  reading,  juftly  claim  the  high  efteem  of  the 
churches  of  Chrift.  And  fuch  will  be  refpe&ed 
and  honoured  by  all  the  lovers  of  truth,  and  the 
diligent  fmcere  inquirers  after  it.  How  are  perfons 
inftrucled,  and  greatly  edified,  who  let  at  the  feet 
of  fuch  learned  doctors  whofe  ideas  lie  clear  and  dif- 
tinct  ;  and  what  benefit  have  the  written  labours  of 
fuch  men  been  to  the  chriftian  world  ?  And  how 
have  their  learned  cxpofitions,  wherein  they  have 
unfolded  the  holy  fcriptures,  and  their  other  inge 
nious  and  judicious  difcourfes,  brought  and  preferred 
light  and  knowledge  in  the  church  ?  And  how  have 
the  names  and  memories  of  fuch  learned  authors 
been  handed  down  and  fpread  abroad  in  the  chrif 
tian  church,  with  high  honour  and  efleem  ? 


^thly.  THE  gift  of  confirming  divine  truths  and 
enforcing  duties,  in  a  flrong,  convincing  and 
moving  manner,  jultly  claims  the  praifes  of  all 
chriilians. 

THIS  is  a  gift  as  ufeful  and  necefiary,  in  irs  place, 
as  the  former,  for  the  church  of  Chrilh  It  is  not 
fufficient  to  fet  truths  and  duties  before  perfons, 
merely  to  enlighten  their  underftanding?,  and  en 
large  their  minds  ;  but,  as  all  divine  truths  have 
reference  to  practice,  to  which  there  is  a  natural 
backwardnefs,  and  great  oppofition,  from  the  world, 
the  things  of  the  world,  the  corrupt  cuftoms  of  the 
\vorlJ,  the  enticements  and  the  examples  of  finners ; 

fo 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH,         15 

fo  ihere  needs  \varm  addrefTes  to  the  confcience, 
to  the  paffions  and  afFeclions  of  the  foul,  yea  to  all 
the  fprings  of  action.  People  need,  not  only  to  be 
told  their  duty,  and  fhown  what  it  is ;  but  to  be 
urged  to  it,  and  in  a  moving  manner  be  expoftu- 
lated  with  about  it.  Confequently,  the  compleat 
preacher,  or  teacher,  will  have  his  eafy,  clear  and 
plain  inftru&ions  warnTd  and  animated,  as  if  his 
tongue  had  been  jufl  touched  with  a  /he  coal  from 
of  the  altar.  His  writings  will  be  pungent,  as  well 
as  clear  and  pertinent ;  and  all  the  great  arguments 
of  the  gofpei  for  a  chriflian  temper  and  practice, 
will  be  fet  in  fuch  array,  as  may  ferve  not  only  to 
excite  and  engage  the  attention,  but  to  roufe  the 
confcience,  to  enkindle  the  affections  ;  yea,  and 
with  the  concurring  influence  of  the  divine  fpirir, 
to  perfuade  the  will,  and  convert  the  man.  And 
Oh  !  how  much  is  the  church  of  God  obliged  to 
fuch  awakening  preachers;  and  for  fuch  practical 
and  pachetic  writings  of  theirs  which  are  extant, 
and  lodged  in  chriftian  families !  And  what  a  multi 
tude  of  precious  faints  will  rife  up  at  the  judgment 
and  call  fuch  preachers  and  authors  blefled,  for  the 
blefled  effects  of  their  faithful  labours  upon  their 
fouls  ?  And  with  what  refpeft  and  affection  are 
fuch  faithful  fervants  of  Chrift  fpoken  of  among 
the  people  of  God,  and  how  are  their  practical 
Writings  recommended,  fpiead,  and  handed  down 
from  one  generation  to  another  ? 


5thly.   A   fpecial  gift   of  difcerning   of  fpirits  ; 
accurately    diflinguifhing   between   truth   and 

error  ; 


1 6  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

error ;  between  greater  and  lejjer  matters  of 
chriftianiry ;  between  things  clear  and  plain, 
and  thofe  that  are  doubtful ;  between  ejjentiah 
and  circumftantials'm  religion. 

THIS  is  a  mod  ufeful  and  even  neceffary  gift 
for  preachers  and  teachers  of  the  gofpel ;  and  the 
want  of  it  has  caufed  the  greatefl  difturbances  and 
confufions  in  the  church.  Truth  and  error,  altho' 
eflenrially  different  from  each  other,  yet  oftentimes 
pur  on  fuch  fimilar  appearances,  that  it  requires  a 
{harp  and  penetrating  eye  to  difcern  the  difference, 
fo  as  to  diftinguifh  the  truth  from  the  error. 
Error  is  oftentimes  gilded  over  with  fuch  fpecious 
and  plaufible  arguments,  and  communicated  in  fuch 
artful  and  equivocal  terms,  that  minifters,  as  well  as 
others,  have  fwallowed  them  down  as  truths ;  and 
only  fome  fingular  gift  of  difcerning  has  been  able 
to  difcover  the  error,  and  the  danger  thereof  that 
was  couched  therein^ 

BUT  then  again,  what  fevere  contefts  have  there 
been  among  the  churches  of  Chrifl ;  and  how  have 
they  been  thrown  into  feuds  and  quarrels  ?  How 
have  they  loft  their  charity  one  for  another  ? 
How  have  they  feparated  and  withdrawn  commu 
nion  from  each  other  ?  Yea,  how  have  they  in 
their  turns  perfecuted  one  another  even  unto  death  ? 
And  al!  this  for  want  of  difcerning  between  the 
greater  and  the  lefler  matters  of  the  gofpel,  the 
eflemials  and  only  circumftantials  of  religion  !  But 
now,  when  God  endows  any  of  his  fervants  with 

an 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          17 

an  eminent  fpirit  of  difcerning  in  thefe  matters,  fo 
as  to  fee  what  faith  that  is  which  was  once  deli 
vered  to  the  faints,  to  be  contended  for  ;  and  what 
are  matters  of  lefs  importance,  and  not  worth  con 
tending  about ;  what  matter  is  this  of  thankfgiving 
to  God  ?  and  how  highly  do  fuch  deferve  of  all 
the  churches,  who  give  them  to  fee  that  the  matters 
in  which  they  differ  are  not  worth  driving  or 
breaking  charity  about;  and  who  are  inflrumental 
of  perfuading  chriflians,  notwithflanding  the  little 
differences  in  opinion  and  practice,  to  maintain  cha 
rity  and  communion  one  with  another  ?  How  de- 
fervedly  are  they  in  the  praife  of  all  the  churches 
within  their  knowledge  and  influence,  who  are 
able  in  any  meafure,  with  the  wifdom  and  difcerning 
of  the  aportle  Paul,  to  conciliate  them  in  matters 
of  difference  about  leffer  things,  as  he  did,  Rom.  xiv. 
about  eating,  or  not  eating  certain  meats,  or  ob- 
ferving,  and  not  obferving  certain  days ;  concerning 
which  he  advifes  not  to  judge  nor  to  defpife  one 
another ;  but,  being  fully  perfuaded  in  their  own 
minds,  he  would  have  them  charitably  to  believe 
as  to  each  other,  that  they  did  what  they  thought 
moil  pleafing  to  Chrift.  He  that  eateth,  eateth  to 
the  Lord ;  for  he  gheth  God  thanks  :  He  that  eateth 
nof,  to  the  Lord  he  eateth  nof,  andgiveih  God  thanks, 

6th  ly,  Zeal  for  the  great  truths  and  duties  of 
chriftianity ;  but  duly  tempered  with  charity 
and  prudence,  challenges  high  honour  and  refpeft 
from  the  churches  of  Chrift. 

C 


:8  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

.   ALTHOUGH   there  is  a  blind  furious  zeal  about 
matters  comparatively  fmall,  which  is  to  be  dreaded  ; 
yet  there  is  a  zeal  that  is  truly  laudable.     //  is  good 
to  be  zealoufly  affeEled  always    in  a  good  thing?* 
And  Chrift  purifies   to  himfelf  a   peculiar  people, 
zealous  of  good  works.  \     How  commendable  muft 
it  be  for  teachers  and  preachers,  who  are  fet  for 
the  defence  of  the  gofpel,  to  appear  zealous,  bold 
and  courageous  for  the  truth,  fo  as   to  defend   it 
againft  all  the  daring  attempts  of  deifts  and  infidels, 
and  fuch  like  vile  oppofers  of  chriftianity  P  Surely 
the  church  of  God   is  greatly  indebted  to  thofe 
chriftian  heroes,  who  inftead  of  being  aftiamed  of 
the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  or  afraid  to  appear  in  his  caufe, 
have  openly  profeffed  him  before  perfecuting  kings 
and  emperors,  and  have  facrificed  their  very  lives  in 
the  caufe  ;  and  fubmitted  to  the  moft  cruel  tortures 
that  men  or  devils  could  invent,  rather  than  re 
nounce  the  chriftian  caufe  ?   Thefe  glorious  mar 
tyrs  are  defervedly  had  in  praife  throughout  all  the 
churches  ;  and  their  names  had  in  everlafting  re 
membrance,  whofe  zeal  and  courage  conquered  the 
heathen  rage,  and  can  fed  the  gofpel  fo  to  fpread, 
that  it  became  a  general  obfervation  that  the  blood 
dj  the  riUitiji's  ^as  the  feed  of  the  church. 


AND  as  to  thofe  who  have  not  been  called  to 
refift  unto  blood  ;  but  yet  have  had  a  zeal  to  appear 
openly  in  the  defence  of  chriftianity,  and  of  any  of 
its  important  truths  and  duties,  they  deferve  very 
highly  of  the  church  :  For  if  it  had  not  been  for  fuch 

zealour 

*  Gal.  IV.   18.  f  Tit.  II.   14. 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          ly 

zealous  and  careful  watchmen  upon  the  walls,  ro  give 
faithful  and  feafonable  warning,  the  church  would 
have  been  robbed  of  one  important  truth  and  duty 
of  chriftianity  after  another,  till  it  would  have  been 
ftript  of  every  thing  that  is  purely  chriftian,  and 
carried  back  to  the  religion  of  the  heathen,  or 
fomething  worfe. 

BUT  then,  a  zeal  that  is  truly  commendable 
will  not  be  fevere  and  cruel,  though  it  fhould  have 
power  in  its  hand ;  but  is  regulated  by  charity  and 
goodnefs.  It  is  not  a  zeal  that  rafhly  thinketh  or 
fpeaketh  evil  of  others ;  but  being  qualified  with 
love  and  charity,  don't  allow  itfelf  to  think  any 
evil,  without  fufficient  foundation  for  it;  but  hopeth 
all  things,  and  believeth  all  things  it  pofllbly  can, 
upon  any  good  foundation,  in  favour  of  them  ; 
ready  to  put  as  favourable  contractions  upon  their 
fentiments  and  ways  as  they  will  poffibly  bear; 
This  zeal  is  allb  dire&ed  by  wifdom  and  pru 
dence,  carefully  avoiding  all  rafhnefs  and  precipi 
tancy,  and  every  thing  that  is  fierce  and  cruel, 
which  fiery  zeal  prompts  to ;  but  wifely  confiders 
the  perfons  with  whom  it  has  to  do,  and  the  times  and 

circumflances  of  things. And  now  how  much  are 

the  churches  indebted  to  fuch  who  though  zealous 
for  God  and  his  caufe,  are  candid  and  charitable, 
prudent  and  cautious  in  all  their  meafures  ?  And 
how  are  uproars  in  towns  and  churches  flilled, 
party  rage  and  fury  allayed,  and  all  things  brought 
to  peace  an$  kept  in  it,  by  the  happy  influence  of 
fuch  a  temper  .p 

C  2  ythly. 


2o  A  Funeral  Scrmvn  on  the 

7th!y.  Stedfaftnefs  in  the  truths  and  •ways  of  God 
is  highly  commendable. 

BY  which  I  mean  not  a  rigid  fixednefs  or  inflexi 
bility  againft  arguments  fufficient  to  change  our 
minds ;  for  this  would  be  obflinacy  and  perverfnefs, 
rather  than  a  rational  or  gracious  ftedfaitnefs ;  which 
fledfaftnefs  is  oppofite  to  that  ficklenefs  of  temper, 
and  wavering  difpofition,  that  keeps  men  fo  loofe 
and  unhinged,  that  they  hardly  know  their  own 
minds,  much  lefs  may  others  depend  upon  them. 

Now  fuch  unflable  fouls,  liable  as  the  weather 
cock  to  be  turned  by  the  wind,  and  fo  to  be  like 
children  toiTed  to  and  fro  by  every  wind  of  doc 
trine,  very  much  difparage  their  character.  U '  nftablt: 
as  water ,t  hey  Jhall  not  excel!.* 

WHEREAS  the  ftedfaft  man  is  he,  who  having  ex 
amined  the  ground  of  his  faith  and  pra£Hce,and  find 
ing  himfelf  upon  a  good  foundation,  remains  fixed 
and  fteady.  He  is  not  fuddenly  moved  by  fophiftical 
and  fubtle  arguments,  or  plaufible  appear.mces  of 
things;  but  will  examine  and  obfcrve  things  care-' 
fully ;  and  not  change  his  mind  or  conduct,  till  upon 
a  careful  and  thorough  weighing  of  the  matter,  he 
finds  it  reafonable. 

AND  furely  it  mud  be  highly  to  the  commenda 
tion  of  fuch  as  are  appointed  the  guides  and 
inflru&ors  of  others,  that  they  be  firm  and  fleady 
in  their  principles,  and  able  to  defend  them.  And 

theft: 
t  Ccn.  XLV.  4. 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         21 

thefe  churches  are  greatly  indebted  to  fuch  fteady 
and  faithful  guides,  to  whom,  under  God,  it  is 
•very  much  owing  that  they  have  hitherto  been 
preferred  upon  their  foundation  ;  when  they  have 
been  fo  vehemently  aflaulted  by  ignorant  and 
illiterate  intruders,  who  have  thrown  many  of  the 
churches  into  confufion,  and  threatned  their  over 
throw.  If  it  had  not  been  for  a  number  of 
fteady  chriftians,  minifters  and  fpiritual  guides  (of 
whom  the  late  deceafed  among  us  was  an  eminent 
one)  thefe  churches  would  have  been  much  fhaken, 
if  not  overthrown  ;  therefore  fuch  juftly  claim  a 
praife  thro'  all  the  churches. 

otbly.  I  may  add  that  diligence,  conflamy  and  affi* 
vity  are  very  recommending  qualities. 

THESE  added  to  the  forementioned  qualities, 
render  a  man  very  illuftrious,  and  fpread  his  name 
and  fame  throughout  the  churches,  far  and  near. 
It  was  by  the  diligence,  the  activity,  and  the  abun 
dant  labours  of  fome  upon  facred,  and  others  upon 
ecclefiaftical  record,  that  they  have  rendered  them- 
felves  famous  in  all  ages  of  the  church,  even  to  this 
day. But  I  may  not  enlarge.  Therefore, 

pthly.  Sincerely  aiming  to  honour  God  with  all  his 
gifts,  and  carefully  endeavouring  to  exemplify 
all  the  graces  and  virtues  of  the  chrijtian  in  his 
own  life,  mufl  needs  recommend  to  the  praife 
of  all  the  churches  wko  Jball  fee  and  hear  of 
the  fame. 

THIS 


22  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

THIS  is  the  crowning  point  of  any  great  man's 
character.  It  is  THIS  that  makes  the  man's  face 
to  flitne.  It  is  THIS  that  puts  a  luftre  upon  all 
the  rich  endowments  of  nature,  or  of  education. 
It  is  THIS  that  adorns  the  man  in  every  office,  in 
every  ftation  and  relation  of  life.  It  is  THIS  that 
puts  a  glofs,  yea  a  real  beauty  and  excellency  upon 
all  performances.  Then  it  is  that  minifters  and 
other  do&ors  of  divinity  recommend  their  difcourfes, 
and  fet  forth  the  beauty  and  excellency  of  divine 
truths,  and  give  a  certain  force  and  energy  to  them, 
viz.  when  they  exemplify  their  do&rines  and  their 
counfels  in  their  own  temper  and  carriage.  When 
minifters  and  fpiritual  guides  live  as  the  gofpel 
teaches  them,  and  as  they  teach  others  from  the 
gofpel,  evcnfoberly,  and  righteously,  and  god/y,'m  the 
world  :  Then,  I  fay,  they  do  in  an  eminent  man 
ner  adorn  the  dodtrine  of  God  our  Saviour.  THIS 
•will  caufe  their  lights  to  Jbine  before  men  ;  and 
others  feeing  and  hearing  of  their  good  'works  ;  of 
their  exemplary  piety,  holinefs  and  goodnefs,  will 
not  only  have  them  in  great  reputation  and  honour, 
but  will  be  induced  to  be  followers  of  them  ;  and 
from  their  bright  example  to  glorify  our  Father 
which  is  in  heaven. 


II.  LET  us  now  proceed  to  confiderwhat  a  diftin- 

gui/bing  favour  and  blefjed  attainment  it  is,  to 

have  fuch  endowments,  natural  or  acquired,  and 

fuch  a  gracious  temper  and  behaviour,  as  juftly  to 

claim  the  praifes  of  all  the  churches. 

IT 


Re*u.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         23 

IT  is  an  high  commendation  which  is  here  given 
of  this  brother  minifter  in  the  text,  That  his  praife 
in  the  gofyel  'was  throughout  all  the  churches,  inti 
mating  hereby  that  there  was  fomething  uncommon 
in  him ;  and  that  God  had  enabled  him,  in  a  very 
diftinguilhing  manner,  to  recommend  himfelf  to 
the  high  efteem  and  praife  of  all  the  churches ; 
which  fuppofes  the  forementioned,  and  fuch  like 
accompliiliments,  in  an  eminent  degree,  were  found 
in  him.  His  praife  in  all  the  churches,  is  not  to  be 
underflood  as  if  he  was  only  a  very  popular  man, 
who  by  voice  and  gefture,  and  flow  of  words,  gained 
the  vulgar  popular  applaufe ;  but  that  he  had  fuch 
real  excellencies  and  accomplishments  as  recommend 
ed  him  to  the  apoflles  and  minifters,  and  to  all  the 
wife  and  underftanding  and  judicious  among  them  ; 
who  were  able  to  difcern  the  things  that  differ. 

AND  that  it  is  a  diftinguifhing  favour  and 
bleffed  attainment  to  have  fuch  endowments  of 
mind,  and  fuch  other  good  qualities,  as  juftly  re 
commend  to  the  high  efleem  of  all  wife  and  good 
men,  will  appear,  if  we  briefly  confider  a  few  things. 

i  ft.  That  they  are  only  great  and  good  qualities 
which  'will  recommend  to  the  efteem  and  refpeft 
of  wife,  great  and  good  men. 

THE. illiterate  vulgar  and  weak  people  maybe 
carried  away  with  noife  and  {how,  and  fome  little 
popular  arts,  without  any  thing  fubftantially  good 
and  excellent.  The  brother  in  our  texc  was 

not 


24  -d  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

not  fuch  an  one  :  But  his  qualifications  were  fuch 
as  recommended  him  to  the  wife  and  the  belt 
judges  of  true  worth  :  Confequently,  there  mult 
have  been  excellent  endowments  and  fuperiour 
qualities  found  in  him,  to  recommend  to  univerfal 

efteem. And   now   it   muft  needs  be  a  great 

favour  and  fpecial  blefling,  to  be  fo  richly  endowed 
as  to  gain,  and  that  very  defervedly,  an  univerfal 
efteem.  Every  good  gift,  and  every  perfect  gift, 
is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father 
of  lights.  He  is  the  former  of  our  bodies,  and  the 
Father  of  our  fpirits ;  and  he  forms  and  unites 
them  together  in  a  manner  we  know  not  how ; 
from  whence  arife  the  various  capacities,  geniufes 
and  inclinations  among  the  children  of  men.  And 
he  who  has  the  difpofing  of  all  things  in  providence, 
orders  out  the  various  advantages,  and  gives  the 
various  inclinations  to  improve  the  fame,  for  the 
enlarging  the  mind,  and  enriching  it  with  a  greater 
variety  of  ufeful  knowledge.  And  whenever  their 
natural  powers  and  acquired  knowledge  are  fancti- 
fied,  and  converted  to  the  greateft  and  beft  pur- 
pofes,  it  is  by  the  grace  of  God.  And  therefore 
when  there  are  fuch  diftinguifliing  endowments  of 
nature,  providence,  and  grace,  found  in  any,  as 
give  them  a  diftinguifliing  efteem  among  the  wife 
and  good,  it  muft  be  looked  upon  as  a  diftinguifli 
ing  favour  to  fuch,  and  ftiould  be  acknowledged  by 
them  and  their  friends  to  the  glory  of  God.  For 
what  haveany  which  may  claim  diftinguifliing  efteem, 
but  what  they  have  received  ?  and  therefore,  whilfl 
fuch  receive  honour  and  praife  of  men,  they  ihould 
give  the  glory  to  God.  sdly. 


Rev.  Dr.  \VIGGLESWORTH.         25 

idly.  It  is  a  rare  thing  to  have  thefe  good  qualifies 
fo  united  in  the  fame  fubj eft,  and  info  confpicu- 
ous  a  manner  as  to  gain  univerfal  ejleem  and 
reputation. 

THOSE  good  qualities  which  deferve  commen 
dation  and  praife,  are  for  the  moft  part  difperfed 
among  the  children  of  men.     To  this  man  is  given 
one  eminent  gift,  to  that  man  is  given  another.  Some 
have  iuperiour  natural  powers  ;  but  no  education  to 
cultivate  and  enlarge  them.     Others  have  good  na 
tural  powers,  and  good  education ;    but  they  have 
violent  paffions,  fuddenly  moved  and  carried  to  great 
excefs ;  befides  other  bad  natural  tempers.   Others 
again  have  all  thefe  advantages,    good  capacities, 
good  temper,   good  education   to    the   great    en 
largement  of  their  minds ;   but  no  grace  to  fanftify 
them,   and  fit    them  for  their  mafler's  ufe  ;  and 
fo   they   cannot  be    in   that  high   efteem   in  the 
churches,   and  with    the   faithful  in  Chrifl  Jefus.1 
But  then  again,  fuppofmg  the  man  excellent  for  nar 
tural  powers  and  for  great  improvement  of  his  mind 
by  education,  and  a  good  natural  temper,  and  all 
fan&ified  by  divine  grace  ;  yet,  alafs !  how  often  has 
the  chara&er  of  fuch  an  one  been  ilurred  by  fome 
fin  or  folly  that  he  has  fallen  into  .p  which  has  been 
as  the  dead  fly  in  the   ointment  of  the  apothecary t 
that  fendeth  forth  a  ft  inking  favour,  and  brings  a 
blot  and  difgrace  upon  him  that  is  in  reputation  for 
•".vifdom  and  honour* 

LA  STL Y  here,  There  are  fome  excellent  perfons 
who  upon  all  accounts  deferve  and  have  the  high 
D  commendations 

*  Ecclsf.  x.  i. 


26  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

commendations  of  all  who  are  acquainted  with 
them  :  But  they  are  not  much  known  ;  their  light 
is  as  it  were  put  under  a  buftiel ;  their  lot  is  in  fome 
remote  and  retired  corner  of  the  vineyard  j  and  fo 
they  live  and  die  pretty  much  in  obfcurity.  So  that, 
upon  the  whole,  to  have  perfons  of  fuch  fuperiour 
accomplishments,  fan<ftified  and  adorned  by  divine 
grace,  free  from  any  blot  or  blemim  in  their  cha- 
rafter,  and  thefe  placed  as  a  city  fet  upon  a  hill,  to 
be  feen  and  known  of  all  men,  is  a  very  rare  thing, 
and  confequently  to  be  taken  notice  of  and  acknow 
ledged  as  a  diftinguiihing  favour  and  bleffing. 


jdly.  It  is  a  fpecial  favour,  as  it  gives  to  fuch 
great  advantages  for  being  eminently  ufeful  in 
the  'world. 

REPUTATION  and  efteem  give  a  man  great 
advantage  for  doing  good ;  and  the  higher  and 
more  extenfiVe  his  chara&er  rifes,  fo  much  the 
greater  opportunity  it  gives  him  of  being  ufeful 
to  mankind.  The  fentiments  of  fuch  a  man  will 
be  much  regarded  ;  his  judgment  will  be  highly 
efteemed  ;  his  counfel  will  be  fought  after  and 
hearkened  unto ;  his  advice  on  particular  points 
of  difficulty  will  come  with  weight ;  and  his  ex 
ample  will  be  very  influential ;  and  being  graci- 
oufly  inclined  to  do  all  the  good  he  can,  it  is  not 
eafy  to  think  how  extenfively  ufeful  fuch  a  man  is 
to  the  family,  to  the  town,  and  to  every  fociety  with 
which  he  is  connected  ;  yea,  and  to  the  church  of 

God  in  general. And  now  the  more  ufeful  God 

make* 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         27 

makes  us  in  the  world,  fo  much  the  more  favour  he 
ihows  to  us,  and  fo  much  the  more  honour  he 
confers  upon  us. 

4thly.  As  the  man  highly  and  defervedly  efteemed 
implies  the  faithful  and  the  wifefervant  ;  fo  he 
will  receive  the  diftinguiflnng  rewards  cffuch. 

WE  are  fpeaking  of  men  who  are  defervedly 
efteemed  and  honoured  as  the  faithful  fervants  of 
Chrift;  and  as  fuch  they  will  be  not  only  efteemed 
and  praifed  through  the  churches  of  Chrift,  but 
they  fhall  have  the  high  approbation  of  their  judge; 
and  from  high  efteem  among  the  faints  on  earth, 
lhall  be  received  to  glory,  honour  and  immortality 
in  heaven ;  and  by  how  much  they  have  diftin- 
guifhed  themfelves,  according  to  their  abilities  and 
opportunities,  in  the  ferviceof  God,  tor  the  honour 
of  Chrifl  and  the  good  of  men,  fo  much  the 
greater  will  be  their  reward  in  heaven ;  and  fo 
much  more  open  and  abundant  entrance  {hall  be 
miuiflred  to  them  into  the  everlafting  kingdom.  All 
which  ferves  to  iliow  what  a  fpecial  favour  it  is  to 
have  fuperiour  abilities,  fo  fanftified  and  faithfully 
improved,  as  fhall  be  not  only  with  reputation  and 
honour  in  the  church  of  God  j  but  with  the  appro 
bation  of  our  judge.  For  this  is  the  way  to  have  that 
bleiTed  euge  full  of  honour,  comfort  and  happinefs 
pronounced  upon  us :  Well  done  good  and  faithful 
enter  Into  the  joy  of  thy  Jjord,* 

D  2  LET 

Matt.  XXV.  21. 


A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

LET  us  now  proceed  to  make  fome  improvement 
and  application  of  thefe  meditations. 

I  ft.  WE  learn  from  what  has  been  faid  that  God 
is  thankfully  to  be  acknowledged  by  all  whom 
he  largely  endows  with  fuch  gifts  and  graces t 
as  deferi>edly  give  them  great  efteem  and  an 
high  character  in  the  church  of  God. 

THE  gifts  of  nature,  even  all  the  powers  of  the 
mind,  with  the  natural  genius,  difpofition  and  tem 
per  ;  and  all  the  advantages  for  improvement  and 
enlargement ;  and  all  that  virtuous  and  gracious 
turn  of  mind,  with  good  behaviour ;  and  all  the 
laudable  aftions  and  performances,  whereby  pcrfons 
recommend  themfelves  to  the  high  efteem  of  others, 
are  from  God  even  from  the  very  firft  to  the 
laft :  And  that  very  honour  and  efteem  that  arifes 
from  hence  comes  of  him  ;  and  is  a  favour  of  divine 
providence  thankfully  to  be  acknowledged  to  God's 
glory,  and  improved  to  his  honour. 

GOD'S  giving  a  man  high  efteem  and  reputation, 
gives  him  great  advantages  of  doing  much  for  the 
honour  of  God  and  the  good  of  mankind  :  And  in 
this  way  he  is  to  exprefs  his  thankfulnefs  to  God 
for  any  fuchdiftinguifhing  favour.  The  fentiments, 
the  principles,  the  counfels,  the  admonitions,  the 
examples  of  fuch  will  be  weighty  and  influential, 
in  proportion  to  the  character  they  bear,  and  the 
efteem  and  honour  they  are  had  in,  among  mankind. 
Surely  then  it  concerns  fuch  to  fhow  their  thank- 

fylnefs 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          29 

flilnefs  to  God  for  his  diltinguilhing  favours  to 
them ;  by  being  fo  much  the  more  careful  in  all 
their  fayings,  and  in  all  their  writings  they  fend 
forth  into  the  world  :  And  fo  much  the  more  cir- 
cumfpeft  in  all  their  conduct,  becaufe  the  eyes 
of  people  naturally  fix  upon  them :  Nothing  is 
more  common  than  for  perfons  to  defend  themfelves 
in  that  which  is  ill,  and  unguarded,  and  fo  cannot 
otherwife  be  excufed;  by  faying  it  is  no  more 
than  fuch  and  fuch  who  bear  the  beft  of  characters 
have  faid  or  done.  Confequently  fuch  men  whom 
God  favours  with  high  reputation  and  character, 
cannot  better  (how  their  gratitude  to  him  for  the 
fame,  than  by  a  mod  guarded,  circumfpe<ft,  exem 
plary  converfation,  diligently  employing  their  gifts, 
and  improving  their  intereft  in  men's  hearts  for  the 
honour  of  God,  the  increafe  of  religion,  and  fo 
the  befl  good  of  mankind. 

2dly.  THE  fubjeft  before  us  teaches  us  That  it  is 
but  a  laudable  ambition,  to  endeavour  jujlly  to 
deftrve  a  unroerfal  good  characler. 

THE  apoflle  fpeaks  of  it  as  a  high  commenda 
tion  of  the  brother  in  our  text,  that  he  was  had  in 
praife  throughout  all  the  churches,  and  confequently 
it  was  to  his  honour,  that  he  laboured  fo  to  acquit 
himfelf  as  to  merit  fuch  univerfal  praife. 

THE  love  of  fame  or  praife  is  a  natural  paffion 
formed  in  man  to  ferve  fome  great  nnd  good  pur- 
pofo,  and  to  prompt  men  to  labour  to  excell  in. 

things 


go  ^4  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

things  great  and  good :  And  this  paflion  under  due 
regulation  ferves  as  a  noble  and  powerful  fpur  to 
great  and  good,  but  difficult  and  dangerous  enter- 
prizes.  But  this  as  well  as  the  other  ufeful  pafllons 
of  the  foul  is  degenerated  and  corrupted  j  and  fo  is 
apt  to  run  into  extremes. 

WITH  fome  this  laudable  ambition  degenerates 
into  fordid  meannefs,  and  a  criminal  dif regard  of 
character  ;  they  are  carelefs  what  men  fay  or  think 
of  them  j  and  are  fo  negligent  of  the  good  opinion 
of  others,  that  they  will  do  nothing  to  deferve  their 
good  efteem ;  and  fet  fo  light  by  a  good  name 
(though  it  be  better  than  great  riches)  that  they 
will  facrifke  it,  and  expofe  themfelves  to  the  con 
tempt  of  all  wife  and  good  men,  for  the  fake  of 
gratifying  fome  filthy  and  brutifh  luft. 

THE  other  extreme  is,  when  this  laudable  Am 
bition  degenerates  into  pride  :  Some  men  are  more 
concerned  to  have  praife  and  honour  than  to  deferve 
it;  and  indulge  fuch  an  exceilive  love  of  fame  as 
to  take  iinjuftifiable  methods  for  the  gaining  it. 
Inftead  of  obferving  the  wife  man's  rule,*  Let  ano 
ther  man  praife  thee,  and  not  thine  own  month  ;  a 
ftr anger,  and  not  thine  own  lips,  they  will  praife 
themfelves ;  and  will  do  every  thing  in  an  oftenta- 
tious  vain-glorious  manner,  that  they  may  have  praife 
and  glory  of  men  j  to  the  neglect  of  fuch  duties 
and  fervices  as  are  out  of  the  fight  of  men ;  they  aim 
only  at  the  appearance  and  not  the  reality  of  good- 
nefs ;  and  will  vilify  others  to  exalt  themfelves, 
and  fecretly  wound  other  mens  characters  to  ad 
vance  their  own. 

B'JT 

*  Frov.  XXVII.  2. 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         31 

BUT  now  happy  is  the  man,  who  has  wifdom 
and  grace  to  fteer  between  thefe  two  extremes ; 
who  has  a  due  regard  to  character,  but  endeavours 
to  deferve  it,  as  well  as  hav.e  it;  who  defires 
and  feeks  no  further  praife  or  commendation  than 
he  has  juft  claim  to  ;  and  who  endeavours  to  acquit 
himfelf  faithfully  in  every  office  and  relation  of 
life  he  fuftains,  and  leaves  it  with  God  to  give  or 
with-hold  the  praife. 


3dly.  What  a  great  blejjlng  to  a  people,  thankfully 
to  be  acknowledged,  when  God  raifes  up  perfons, 
and  qualifies  them  after  fuch  a  manner  as  t9 
deferve  the  praifes  and  high  commendations  of  all 
the  churches ;  even  of  all  wife,  ferious  and 
good  men. 

THESE  are  indeed  the  excellent  ones  in  the  earth. 
They  are  the  fa  It  of  the  earth.  Thefe  arc  the 
light  of  the  world.  They  are  the  pillars  of  the 
churches,  and  the  glory  of  Chrift  ;  and  the  means  of 
preferving  the  churches  from  finking  into  ignorance 
and  degenerating  into  corruption.  It  is  by  fuch 
men's  being  raifed  up  in  one  age  of  the  church, 
and  another,  that  the  truths  and  principles  of 
chriflianity,  according  to  the  fcriptures,  have  been 
preferved,  and  even  refcued  and  feparated  from  the 
dregs  of  ignorance  and  corruption,  which  the 
church  in  fomc  former  ages  was  funk  into ;  and 
the  truth  as  k  is  in  Jefus,  and  in  his  gofpel,  made 
to  {hine  forth,  with  fuch  a  degree  of  clearnefs  as 

now 


32  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

now  it  does.  Surely  the  churches  of  God  are 
greatly  indebted  to  fuch  able  and  faithful  men. 
But  O !  what  obligations  are  chriftians  under  to 
God,  and  to  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl,  who  has,  from 
time  to  time,  raifed  up  fuch  men,  and  enriched 
them  with  fuch  excellent  gifts !  Surely  it  becomes 
chriftians  to  be  thankful  for  the  gifts  beftowed 
upon  others,  as  well  as  upon  themfelves :  For  fu- 
periour  gifts  beftowed  upon  any  perfons  are  for 
the  public  good ;  and  therefore  we  fhould  all  re 
joice  in  them,  and  be  thankful  for  them. 


4thly.  CONSEQUENTLY,  the  death  and  departure 
of  perfons  of  difli nguijhing  'worth  and  character 
ought  to  be  taken  notice  of  as  a  public  lofs,  and 
the  hearts  of  people  duely  affetted  therewith. 

As  for  thofe  whofe  praife  is  in  all  the  churches, 
when  God  takes  them  away  by  death,  it  becomes 
churches  to  be  humble  under  his  holy  hand  ;  and 
I  believe  you  will  every  one  agree  that  God  is 
calling  us  at  this  time  to  take  a  folemn  and  hum 
ble  notice  of  fuch  a  difpenfation  of  his  holy  provi 
dence  the  laft  week,  in  the  death  and  departure  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLES  WORTH,  Hoi/is  Profeffor 
of  Divinity  in  the  College,  whofe  remains  were 
interred  the  laft  evening.  The  juft  claim  he  had 
to  the  high  commendation  and  character  in  my 
text,  led  me  to  the  fubjecl: ;  he  being  a  reverend 
brother,  whofe  praife  in  the  gofpel  is  defervedly 
had  throughout  the  churches ;  yea,  we  may  apply 

the 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.          33 

the  character  of  Demetrius  unto  him,  of  whom  it 
is  fa  id,  That  he  hath  good  report  of  all  men,  and 
tf  the  truth  itfelf.* 

THE  great  former  of  all  things,  who  defigned 
him  for  a  very  important  ftation  of  life,  relating 
to  his  gofpel  kingdom,  formed  him  originally  with 
many  very  fuperiour  powers  of  the  mind,  diflin- 
guifhingly  fitted  for  fiich  a  fervice.  Akho'  God 
gave  him  but  a  {lender  conftitution  of  body,  yet  he 
was  very  liberal  to  him  in  the  various  faculties  of 
his  foul,  which  perhaps  were  promoted  and  brought 
forth  to  greater  advantage  by  the  tendernefs  and 
delicacy  of  his  bodily  frame.  So  that  in  his  very 
make  and  conftitution  there  was  fuch  an  extenfive- 
nefs  and  reach  of  thought,  (pch  a  quicknefs  and 
clearnefs  of  apprehenfion,  fuch  a  foundnefs  of  judg 
ment,  fuch  an  acutenefs  and  ftrength  of  reafoning, 
fuch  accuracy  of  expreffion ;  and  all  thefe  accompa 
nied  with  fuch  a  calm,  fedate  and  difpailionate  temper 
as  are  rarely  to  be  met  with  in  the  fame  fubjecl:. 

HAVING  had  the  advantage  of  a  liberal  edu 
cation,  he  enlarged  and  ftorcd  his  mind  with  trea- 
fures  of  ufeful  knowledge.  And  as  he  purpofed, 
by  the  will  of  God,  to  employ  his  life  in  the 
gofpel  miniitry,  fo  divinity,  and  the  things  of  the 
gofpel,  and  thofe  which  would  ferve  to  illuftrate 
and  confirm  the  fame,  were  the  fubjecls  that  he 
chiefly  employed  his  mind  hi  the  ftudy  of.  And 
altho'  he  flood  candidate  for  the  gofpel  miniftry, 
and  went  on  in  occafional  preaching  for  fome years; 
E  in 

*  III.  Ep.  John  12  ver, 


in  which  he  gave  to  all,  but  efpecially  to  the 
more  learned  and  judicious,  very  ample  tokens  of 
his  fuperiour  abilities  and  thorough  acquaintance 
with  facred  things ;  yet  it  appeared  in  a  little  time, 
by  the  courfe  of  providence,  that  God  had  another 
and  very  important  bufmefs  in  referve  for  him : 
Namely,  that  inflead  of  being  confined  to  teach 
and  minifter  to  one  fmgle  congregation  of  common 
chriflians,  he  fhould  be  an  inftruftor  of  all  the 
young  candidates  for  the  gofpel  miniftry,  and  train 
them  up  in  the  great  doftrines  and  principles  of 
chriftianity ;  and  fo  form  and  fit  them  to  go  forth 
into  the  feveral  congregations  of  the  Lord,  and 
preach  the  pure  truths  of  the  gofpel  to  them ;  and 
fo  to  have  it  as  his  fpecial  bufmefs,  to  teach  thofc 
who  were  to  be  teacjiers  and  preachers  to  others. 

To  bring  about  this  important  event,  be 
hold!  at  that  very  time,  God  raifed  up  a  mod 
generous  benefactor  to  the  college,  viz.  the  late 
worthy  Mr.  THOMAS  HOLLIS,  merchant,  of 
London  ;  who  among  his  many  pious  and  charitable 
benefa&ions  to  the  college,  founded  a  profeflbrfhip 
for  divinity ;  making  the  fame  known  to  the  cor 
poration,  defiring  them  to  name  fome  perfon  to  him 
proper  for  that  fervice.  Accordingly,  the  diftin- 
guifhing  abilities  of  Mr.  Wigglefworth  were  fo 
confpicuous,  that  he  was  unanimoufly  nominated 
and  appointed  to  that  office  ;  in  which  he  has, 
thro'  the  great  goodnefs  of  God,  very  laudably, 
yea  with  diftinguifhiug  honour,  officiated  for  more 
than  forty  two  years ;  and  fo  has  abundantly  an- 
fwered  the  high  recommendatory  character  given 

of 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         35 

of  him  by  one   of  the   corporation,  and   in  their 
name,  to  his  worthy  patron.  # 

AND  by  fuch  a  faithful  and  acceptable  difchargc 
of  this  office  it  is  more  efpecially  that  his  praife  comes 
to  be  in  all  the  churches :  For,  altho'  his  occafional 
preaching  and  his  printed  works  have  fpread  his  fame ; 
yet  it  was  by  the  conftant  attendance  upon  the  duties 
of  his  office,  that  his  praife  has  been  diffufed  thro' 
E  2  thefe 

*  "  There  is  but  one  thing  more,  Sir,  which  I  have  now  to 
add,  but  it  is  a  very  great  one  ;  the  nomination  of  a  per- 
fon  to  you,  to  be  your  firft  profefTor.  There  is  lately 
returned  to,  and  is  now  reliding  in  the  college,  a  very 
accomplifhed  perfon  for  the  office,  in  our  joint  opinion 
and  judgment,  Mr.  Edward  tt'igglefworth,  who  in  the 
year  I7iopaffed  his  firft  degree  with  us,  and  has  ever 
fmce  diligently  applied  himfelf  to  the  learned  ftudies, 
and  to  the  ftudy  of  divinity  more  efpecially.  He  is  a 
perfon  of  known  and  exemplary  virtue,  piety,  literature, 
modeity,  meeknefs,  and  other  chriftian  ornaments.  His 
public  exercifes  in  the  pulpit  difcover  a  Iblid  judgment, 
a  clean  Itile,  a  clear  method,  a  bright  and  llrong  thought, 
and  a  facility  or  aptnefs  to  teach  :  And  it  now  appears 
to  us  as  if  Providence  may  have  referved  him  for  fuch  a 
fervice  as  this  now  before  us  ;  which  we  apprehend  may 
fuit  him  in  all  refpects,  excepting  his  low  opinion  of 
himfelf;  yet  neither  is  he  wanting  in  gravity,  wifdom, 
and  a  fpirit  of  government  and  authority,  which  may  be 
neceflary  to  command  the  reverence  of  others  to  him,  in 
any  office  he  may  be  called  to." 

Vid.  Life  and  Charatle  r  of  Dr.  Colman,  p.  54,55. 

Betides  the  profefforfhip  of  divinity,  the  above  named  Mr. 
Hollis  founded  a  profeflbrlhip  of  mathematicks,  of  natural 
and  experimental  philofophy;  eftabliihed  ten  fcholar- 
fhips ;  furniflied  the  college  with  a  coftly  and  valuable 
apparatus ;  and  fome  or  other  of  that  worthy  name  and 

family 


3  6  -^  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

thefc  churches :  For  he  being  continued,  by  the 
great  goodnefs  of  God,  in  the  profeffor's  chair  for 
fo  many  years,  mod  by  far  of  ihe  miniflers  of  this 
and  of  fome  neighbouring  provinces,  have  been 
trained  up  in  their  theological  ftudies  by  and  under 
him ;  who,  I  doubt  not,  do  with  one  confent  agree 
to  do  him  honour,  as  he  who  by  his  public  and 
private  lectures,  and  perfonal  conferences,  has  given 
great  light  to  them  in  the  things  of  the  gofpel ; 
and  done  a  great  deal  to  edablifli  them  in  many 
important  points  of  chriflianity.  So  in  this  way 
his  eminent  gifts  became  of  public  ufe,  and  are  as 
it  were,  by  their  miniflry,  tranfmitted  to  the  feveral 
churches  of  the  land.  And  I  believe  his  praife  is 
fo  in  thefe  churches,  efpecially  with  the  minifters 
of  them,  that  they  would  with  one  voice  declare 
that  they  knew  not  any,  who  would  have  more,  if 
fo  compleatly,  filled  that  chair  as  he  did. 

IF  we  confider  him  in  the  government  of  the 
college,   and  confulting  for  its  welfare,  he  was   a 

very 

family  have,  from  time  to  time,  for  more  than  forty  years 
paft,  been  teftifying  their  pious  and  generous  regards  to 
the  college.  And  the  prefent  worthy  Mr.  Thomas  Hollis, 
of  London,  pofTcffed  abundantly  of  the  fame  excellent  fpirit, 
and  kind  regard  to  the  college,  which  recommended  and 
endeared  his  great  uncle  to  us,  has  fmce  the  late  deltruc- 
tion  of  the  library  and  apparatus  by  fire,  fent  towards  the 
reparation  of  that  lofs,  a  very  large  collection  of  valuable 
books,  to  the  amount  of  fome  hundreds  flerling. 
The  Lord  be  praifed  for  that  compaffionate,  benevolent,  and 
liberal  fpirit  he  has  ftirred  up  towards  the  college  of  late  ; 
And  may  all  its  kind  and  generous  benefactors,  whether 
in  Great- Britain  or  amongft  ourlelves,  be  abundantly  re 
warded  with  the  bleffings  of  divine  providence  and  grace. 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         37 

very  ufeful  member,  not  only  confidered  in  his  con 
nection  with  the  prefident  and  tutors,  in  the  imme 
diate  government  of  the  fludents ;  but  as  one  of  the 
corporation  of  the  college.  For,  altho'  his  hardnefs 
of  hearing  was  a  great  difficulty  to  him  when  debates 
were  carried  on,  yet  things  being  made  known  to 
him  (to  have  his  thoughts  upon  them)  there  always 
appeared  in  him  fuch  an  accuracy  of  thought,  fuch 
a  wifdom  and  judicioufnefs  in  his  obfervations,  as 
were  ever  of  great  weight  with  us.  Which  I  am 
able  to  fpeak  from  my  own  obfervation,  having  had 
the  honour  and  pleafure  of  fitting  with  him  at  thac 
board  for  more  than  forty  years. 

AND  fuch  was  the  efteem  the  learned  had  of 
his  knowledge,  fagacity,  and  foundnefs  of  judgment, 
that  he  was  much  confulted  in  doubtful  and  difficult 
cafes ;  and  we  never  thought  a  controverfy  in 
better  hands  than  when  he  was  perfuaded  to  un 
dertake  it.  And  altho*  he  was  for  defending  and 
fupporting  the  truth,  and  had  an  acutenefs,  whereby 
he  could  be  keen  in  expofing  the  weaknefs  of  his 
oppofers;  yet  chriftian  candour  and  charity  was 
his  fliining  character  ;  who  went  great  lengths  in  his 
charitable  opinion  of  thofe  who  were  fincere  and 
honed  in  their  differing  fentiments  from  him. 

IN  his  family  relations  he  was  very  exemplary: 
He  was  a  tender  and  careful  husband  j  a  wife  as 
well  as  affectionate  father ;  and  a  kind  matter.  God 
vifited  him  with  fore  afflictions  in  his  family,  in 
many  forrowful  deaths,  and  in  fore  fickneffes  and  of 
long  continuance.  But  during  fuch  a  feries  of 

troubles.  God  enabled  him  to  exhibit  a  bright  ex- 

• 

amnle 


38  A  Funeral  Sermon  on  the 

ample  of  patience  and  humble  fubmiffion  to  the  will 
of  God;  and  even  fo  much  fedatenefs  and  com- 
pofednefs  of  mind,  that  any  one  coming  in  to  dif- 
courfe  with  him  upon  any  point,  would  hardly 
perceive  by  him  that  there  was  any  trouble' in  his 
'houfe.  And  he  found  it  was  good  to  hope,  and 
quietly  wait  for  the  falvation  of  God :  For  God 
has  been  pleafed  of  late  to  Ihift  the  fcene,  and  re- 
ftore  the  voice  of  health  and  falvation,  in  a  good 
meafure,  to  his  children;  which  I  doubt  not  they 
take  notice  of  with  thankfulnefs ;  and  efpecially 
that  their  tender  father  lived  to  fee  them  under  fuch 
comfortable  circumflances  before  he  left  the  world. 

HE  was  a  prudent,  peaceable,  friendly  and  kind 
neighbour;  ready  to  every  good  work  of  piety  and 
charity,  as  the  poor  and  others  can  teftify  :  And  we 
all  are  witneffes,  and  God  alfo,  how  holily,  and 
juftly,  and  unblameably,  he  behaved  himfelf  thro1 
the  Xvhole  courfe  of  his  life  among  us. 

AND  now  mark  the  perfefl  man,  and  behold  the 
upright  ;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.  His 
death,  like  his  life,  was  fedate  and  calm,  without 
any  furprize  or  agitation  of  fpirit.  He  manifefled 
to  me,  the  day  before  he  expired,  "  That  if  God 
"  had  any  further  fervice  for  him  to  do  he  fhould 
"  be  glad  to  live :  But  he  was  refigned  to  the  will 
"  of  God.'*  And  when  I  aiked  him,  whether  his 
faith  and  hope  remained  flrong  and  fteady  ?  he 
anfwered  me  to  this  purpofe,  "  He  thought  he 
"  could  fay  that  in  fome  good  meafure  he  had 
"  walked  before  God  in  truth  and  with  a  perfeft 
"  heart :  And  altho'  there  had  been  many  defeats 

"  and 


Rev.  Dr.  WIGGLESWORTH.         39 

"  and  failings  in  his  life,  yet  he  hoped  and  believed 
"  that  thro'  Chrifl  he  ihould  be  accepted."  And 
fo  we  all  believe,  and  are  perfuaded  concerning  him. 

AND  now  what  belongs  to  all  of  us,  but  to  labour 
to  be  duly  affe&ed  with  the  death  of  an  eminent 
faint,  and  of  fuch  a  diilinguiflied  character  ? 

SURELY 'the  college  has  great  reafon  to  lament 
the  death  of  fuch  a  worthy,  well  accompliftied  and 
faithful  profeflbr. 

AND  all  the  churches  in  the  land  have  reafon  to 
lament  the  death  of  him  whofe  praife  has  been  in 
them.  And  may  not  only  the  fludents  who  refide 
at  college,  but  all  the  miniflers  thro'  the  land,  who 
have  been  trained  up  under  him,  remember  how 
they  have  received  and  heard,  and  hold  fad  the 
faithful  and  the  good  word  they  have  received  at 
his  mouth.  And  may  we  all  unite  in  humble  fer 
vent  prayer,  that  the  God  of  the  fpirits  of  all  flefli, 
and  with  whom  is  the  refidue  of  the  fpirit,  would 
raife  up  and  turn  the  eyes  of  the  governors  of  the 
college  to  a  fucceflbr  in  all  refpe&s  fitted  for  that 
important  flation. 

MAY  the  children  of  the  deceafed  be  fupported 
under  fuch  a  bereaving  difpenfation  of  divine  pro 
vidence  ;  and  may  a  double  portion  of  that  good 
fpirit  which  was  in  their  father,  and  in  their  other 
pious  anceftors,  defcend  and  red  upon  them ;  and 
may  they  be  very  eminent  bleffings  in  the  feveral 
flations  and  fervices  that  God  ailigns  to  them ;  and, 
if  it  may  be  the  will  of  God,  as  great  bleffings  to  the 
college  as  their  excellent  father  has  been. 

MAY 


40  ^  Funeral  Sermon. 

MAY  I  myfelf,  and  this  whole  church  and  con 
gregation,  be  deeply  affefted  with  the  extin&ionof 
this  burning  and  fliining  light,  whofe  devout  pre- 
fence  has  for  fo  many  years  graced  this  aflembly ; 
and  by  whofe  kind  labours,  inftruftive,  judicious  and 
accurate  difcourfes,  we  have  been  often  entertained 
and  edified ;  to  think  we  fhall  fee  his  face  and  hear 
his  voice  no  more. 

MAY  thofe  of  us  who  have  for  a  long  courfeof 
years  been  concerned  with  the  deceafed  in  tranfaft- 
ing  the  various  affairs  of  the  college,  deeply  lay 
to  heart  the  great  breach  which  by  his  death  is 
made  upon  the  government  of  that  fociety :  And 
may  God  appear  in  great  mercy  to  be.  the  fpeedy 
repairer  of  the  breach. 

FINALLY.  May  we  all  be  quickened  by  this 
holy  providence  to  be  up  and  doing ;  improving  our 
time,  and  our  various  talents,  to  the  befl  advantage, 
working  the  works  of  him  who  hath  fent  us,  whilft 
it  is  day ;  for  the  night  of  death  cometh,  wherein 
no  man  can  work. 

AND  may  thofe  of  us  who  are  much  about  the 
age  of  our  deceafed  friend  and  brother,  be  excited 
to  labour  to  be  in  a&ual  readinefs  for  our  own  de 
parture.  Surely  the  voice  of  this  providence  is 
the  voice  of  Chrift  to  us  in  thofe  words,  Lukexii. 
35 — 37.  with  which  I  conclude.  Let  your  loins 
be  girded  about,  and  your  lights  burning  ;  and  ye 
yourfehes  like  unto  men  who  wait  for  their  Lord. 
EleJJed  are  thofe  fervants  whom  the  Lord  when  he 
cometh  Jball  fnd  watching.  AM  E  N. 


IN      OBITUM 


EDVARDI  WIGGLES  WORTH,  S.T.P. 


Q.U  A  M, 


APUD   COLLEGIUM   HARVARDINUM> 
INTER      EFFERENDUM, 

HABUIT 

JOSEPHUS  TAYLOR, 


«  — Confultiffimus  vir— omnis  DIVINI  atque humani  juris,— 
quern  juvenum  xmulantium  ftudia  coetus  habuifTe  conftat," 

T.  Livu,  1.  i.  18. 


• 


[     3     ] 


ORATIO  FUNEBRIS 


ACTUM  eft!   vitam    perfecit  WIGGLES- 
WORTH  abfolvitque  mortalera  !   Sic  voluit 
Pater   omnipotens.-— Fautores    virtutis   ac 
humani  generis  amantes,  vita  defuncti,  recordatione 
uti  fempiterna  vigeant,  a  viventibus  repetere  prope 
fuo  jure  debent.     Grams  quidem  et  animus  monet, 
inhumanum,  quo  tempore  talium  corpora  terra  con- 
dantur,  eodera  et  memoriam  oblivione  deleri.     Hoc 
fi  debitura  ulli  poflulandum  fuiflet,  cui  reftius  quam 
ei,  cujus  funebria  jufta  jam  nunc  facimus  ?  At  tem- 
poris  exiguitas,   rigor  hiemis,  atque  juventus  mea, 
quo  minus  oinnes  perpulchras  viri  illius  venerandi, 
cujus  reliquiae  fuper  iftud  trifle  feretrum  ponuntur, 
virtutes  etiam  leviter  attingam,  aut  moeftis  cognatis 
amicifque  debitas  adhibeam  coiifolationes,  vetant. 

ALIIS 


C    4    I 

ALII s  liceat,  aulaeis  retraftis,  mores  in  confpe&u 
ponere  fuaviflimos,  qui  inde  ab  initio  eum  ad  finem 
ufque  vitas  praeclarum  reddidere.  Penes  alios  fit 
arbitrium  illecebras  depingendi  eas,  quce  intimo 
fermoni  erant  decori ;  eorumque,  quibufcum  ipfi 
Confuetudo  erar,  corda  conciliarunt.  Alii  delineent 
id  virtumm  fidus  quod  pe&us  illuftravit :  Horum  in 
munera  non  mihi  eft  in  ammo  irreprare ;  et  hanc  ob 
caufam  plurima  vitas  omamenta  filentio  pra?tereo. 


ECCE  finis  mortalium  univerforum  !  En  viri 
cxitus  honeftiffimi  integerrimique,  redimitus  oliva  ! 
Afpicite  reliquias  viri,  non  folum  de  academia,  fed 
de  republica  etiam  optiine  merjti !  quern  vivum 
omnes  boni  in  fummo  habebant  honore;  quern 
mortuura  fummo  moerore  iugem. 


Quis  exuvias  iftius,  jam  quidem  numero  caelitum 
adfcripti,  confpicere  poteft,  qui  non  fimul  in  me- 
moriam  revocet,  quas  facukates  infigues,  qua^  r.obi- 
liffima?  virtutes  per  rotam  vitam  effuiferint  ?  Ii?, 
qua»  fane  doftum  efHciunt,  aliis  fere  omnibus  longe 
praeftitit.  In  illo  acerrimum  ingeniuiii,  mens  faga- 
ciffima,  tenax  memoria,  rerum  re<ftifiime  ccfliman- 
darum  poteflas  eximie  claruerunt.  Omni  ex  parte 
eruditus  erat.  Vetcrum  periius  linguarum.  In 
hiftoria  tarn  civili  quam  ecclefiaftic?.  verfatiilimus. 
Omnes  denique,  quibus  vel  minima  cum  profeinone 
fi)4  intercept  cognatio,  fcicntias  penitus  calluir. 

Vi 


[     S     ] 

Vi  autem  et  acumine  difceptandi  prae  caeteris  eni- 
tuit.  Hac  praefcrtim  in  re,  fummo  orbis  literati 
confenfu,  tenuit  primas,  mirumque  in  modum  re- 
luxit.  Hac  vero  facultate  cum  plurimum  valerer, 
turn  minirae  dogmaiicus ;  neque,  quas  propofitiones 
in  medium  protulerit,  iis  unquam,  nifi  gravibus 
argumentis  certifque  fultis,  aflentiri  voluit. 

CUM  primura  equidem  pietate  infignis  atque  vir 
honeftiflimus  ille  Dominus  HOLLIS,  jampridem 
inter  cadites  relatus,  Theologian  Profeffionera,  ab- 
hinc  quadraginta  amplius  annis,  hoc  loco  inftituiffet, 
ifte  doctiflimus  ProfeiTor,  utpote  etiam  turn  infigniter 
idoneus,  qui  tali  munere  fungeretur,  fuit  ele&us. 
Natura,  quae  eum  deftinaverat  ad  opus  in  quo 
laboravit  et  excelluit,  omnibus  neceffariis,  ut  confilii 
compos  fieret,  dotibus  oraavit. 

THEOLOGIAM  vero  profeflus  efl  j  rebus  ideo 
tiivinis  maxime  ftuduit :  Hie  erat  percupidus  emi- 
nendi ;  hie  eminuit.  Mente  igitur  prsejudiciis  ac 
fuperftitione,  humanitati  faspe  fceda,  fopius  fceda 
religioni,  exuta,  cum  omnia  fedulo  meditatus  accu- 
rateque  fcrutatus  eflet,  fententiarum  de  facris  in 
biblia,  qua?  fola  ad  homines  in  rebus  tanti  momenti 
airigendos  data,  fundamenta  jecit.  Confirmatis 
demam  fententiis,  animum  tantis  doftrinse  copiis  in- 
flruere,  et  ejufmodi  corroborare  argumentis,  quibus 
vires  ad  veritatem  evangelii,  adverfus  malevoloruna 
impetus,  confervandanj,  fuppeterent,  erat  curce. 

C0NCIONES, 


E     6     ] 

CONCIQNES,  turn  pro  roftris  publice  pronua- 
data*,  turn  literis  mandatce  et  in  lucem  emiffce,  ftylo 
materias  femper  confoname;,  argumentis  omnibus 
ornamentis,  qua;  vel  animum  feducere,  vel  pravam 
propenfionem  voluntati  folent  injicere,  nudaiis,  etfi 
brevibus,  nihilo  tainen  fecius  perfpicuis,  quamvis 
elaboratis,  baud  eo  minus  fimplicibus,  abfque  meta- 
phoris  longe  petitis,  nervofis ;  ordine  nunquam  non 
natural!  nee  lucido,  perpetuo  documentis  abundante; 
divifionibus  paucis,  at  femper  idoneis,  a  fe  invicem 
ducentibus  originera,  et  ad  ipfam  conclufionem, 
crefcente  vi,  pergentibus ;  ad  maximis  utilitatibus 
ierviendum  miris  modis  accommodate?  funt.  Ut 
verbo  expediam — Cogitavic  libere,  nee  de  rebus 
divinisdubitavit ;  difputator,  neque  infidus;  religioiii 
deditus,  fimyl  et  a  fuperflitione  abhorrens. 

I^LUM,  profefforis  officium  pnrftantem,  infpec- 
teraus ;  et  quod  tandem  majus  hoc  fidelitatis  exem- 
plum  ante  oculos  proponere  queamus  ?  Hoc  facel- 
lum,  cujus  facros  intra  paricte;  modo  convetiimus, 
obteflor,  quanto  cum  labore  hujus  focietatis  alumnos 
ad  Dei  cuhum  erudiret,  ac  amore  virtutis  accenderet ; 
quam  anxie  fe  ad  juveniles  animos  contra  prcrjudicia 
armandos  pararet ;  neu  fententias  a  facris  literis 
alienas,  adinittercnt,  propugnaret^ 

HUNC  fi  in  privata  ycrf^tum  vird  teftrcimis,  in- 
genii  virum   amabilis ;  animi  benevolends  ac  large 
eiici  j  allabilitatis  jucu^diflim^  ;  imegrum  vita?, 

fme 


[  1  1 

fine  labe  fcelerifque  purum ;  moribus  ornatiim  fane- 
tiffimis;  geftu  gravem  et  venerabilem,  apertum 
tamen  ac  ingenuum ;  omnium  denique  imitations 
digniflimum ;  ab  omnibus,  ni  virtutem  perofis,  di- 
le&um  efle,  inveniemus.  Quse  virtutes  quidem  in 
aliis  afperce  atque  feverce  videantur,  in  illo  fane  ve- 
nuflo  renidebant  decore.  Peramans  conjugum, 
Parens  benevolentiffimus  et  benigniffimus.  Amicus 
hofpitalis,  munificus,  conftans  erat.  Omnes  inter 
viciffitudines  vitae,  et  cafus  qui  fibi  domuiquc  fuse 
divinitus  contigerunt,  fatis  licet  in  prefentia  trifles, 
tranquillus,  continens,  idem. 

QUANTUM  incommodi  refpublica,  quantum  rea 
literaria,  et  hcec  praecipue  focietas ;  quantum  amicl 
atque  familiares,  hujus  ex  morte,  fuflinuerunt !  Ubi 
fama  percrebuit,  ibi  capitiir  detrimentum ;  ubicun^ 
que  autem  terrarum  literati  habitant,  eo  equidem 
emanaverat  fama. 

O  WIGGLES  WORTH  !  doftorum  delicias 
doftrinse,  pietatis  exemplum !  6WiGGLEs\v 
— — — vixifli ! 


The  following  Portrait  of  the  DOCTOR'S 
Charader  was  drawn  by  one  of  his  learned 
and  much  eftcemed  Friends,  and  inferted 

in  the  B  oft  on  Evening-1]?  oft 3   No.  1533. 

' 

Cambridge,  January  19.  1765. 

LAST  \Vednefday  died  here,  in  the  73d  year  of  his 
age,  after  an  illnefs  of  five  days,  the  reverend  and 
learned  EDWARD  WIGGLESWORTH,  D.  D.   one 
of  the  Fellows  of  the  Corporation,   and  HOLMS 
Profeflbr  of  Divinity  in   Harvard   College  :    A   Gentleman 
highly  efteemed  thro'  life,  and  greatly  lamented  at  his  Death. 

WE  pretend  not  to  dtiaw  a  complete  portrait  of  this  emi 
nent  perfon,  of  whom  it  is  not  eafy  to  fay,  whether  he  were 
more  diftinguifhed  by  the  vigor  of  his  intellectual  powers, 
by  the  extent  of  his  knowledge,  or  the  height  of  his  moral 
attainments  :  We  attempt  only  to  {ketch  out  fome  of  the 
principal  lines  of  his  character. 

HE  was  fon  of  the  late  Rev.  Michael  JVigglefiuorth  of 
Maiden,  who  is  well  known  throughout  this  country  by  his 
divine  poems.  He  received  his  education  in  Harvard  College, 
where  he  took  his  degree  of  Batchelor  in  Arts,  in  the  yea£ 
1710,  and  proceeded  Matter  in  1 7 1 3 ,  applying  himfelf  to  the 
ftudy  of  divinity.  He  preached  for  fome  time  in  different 
parities.  When  the  late  pious  and  generous  THOMAS 
Ho  LI,  is,  Efq;  of  London  founded  a  Profefiorfhip  of  Divi 
nity  in  this  place,  the  governors  of  the  College  immediately 
turned  their  eyes  upon  Mr.  WIGGLESWORTH,  who  was 
chofen  the  firft  HOLLIS  Profefibr  of  Divinity,  June  28. 1721. 
.  and  having  be«n  approved  by  the  Founder,  was  publicly 
inftalled  in  that  office  la  the  College-Hall,  October  24.  1722. 
G  and 


t  *  ] 

and  was  not  long  after  chofen  into  the  Corporation.  He 
continued  to  difeharge  the  duties  of  his  important  office  with 
fidelity  till  within  a  few  days  of  his  death.  Much  the 
greater  part  of  the  MiniQers  now  living  in  this  and  the 
neighbouring  province,  were  formed  under  his  inftructions. 
With  what  perfpicuicy  and  iblidity  he  explained  and 
eftabliihed  the  grand  doctrines  <t  religion,  with  how  critical 
an  accuracy,  with  how  Itrict  impartiality  and  amiable  candor 
he  diicufled  the  various  points  of  controverfy  which  have 
fo  unhappily  divided  the  chritVian  world,  all  who  have  had 
the  advantage  of  his  elaborate  lectures,  for  more  than  forty 
years  part,  can  bear  witnefs.  Some  of  thefe  difcourfes  have 
been  made  public  for  the  benefit  of  others.  They  raifed  a 
great  efleem  of  their  author.  His  character  was  ftill  highten- 
ed  by  fome  controver(ial  pieces,  which  he  publifhed  as 
occafions  required.  Here  he  diiplayed  in  a  nervous  and 
fufficiently  animated  ftyle,  yet  in  a  cool  and  difpaflionate 
manner,  iuch  clearness  and  itrength  of  argument,  as  left  n» 
room  for  reply. 

BEING  by  an  uncommon  degree  of  deafnefs  in  a  great 
ineafure  cut  off  from  the  pleasures  of  focial  converfe,  he  had 
more  leifure  to  turn  his  attention  inward  ;---to  ftrengthen 
the  faculties  of  his  mind  and  ripen  his  reflexions  by  habitual 
meditation.  This  defect,  as  it  deprived  his  friends  of  much 
of  the  benefit  of  his  converlation,  fo  it  debarred  him 
from  fome  opportunities  of  more  extenfive  ufefulnefs.  He 
was  for  fome  time  commiffioner  of  the  London  fociety  for 
propagating  the  gofpel  among  the  Indians,  but  refigned 
about  ten  years  ago  on  account  of  his  increafing  deafnefs. 
He  was  chofen  one  of  the  Scotch  deputation  for  propagating 
chriftian  knowledge,  about  four  years  fmce,  but  exculed  him- 
felf  on  the  fame  account.  For  this  reafon  he  declined  the 
Rectorfhip  of  Yale-College,  New-Haven,  when  it  was  offered 
him.  The  Univerfity  of  Edinburg  gave  their  ftrongeft 
teftimonial  of  his  merit,  by  fending  himw  Diploma  for  a 
DOCTORATE  in  Divinity.  It  bears  date  June  2.  1730. 

IN 


[     3     1 

IN  his  private  life,    the   Gentleman    and   the   Chriftiao 
appeared  to  great  advantage.     He  was  of  an  affable,  con- 
defcending  and  obliging  difpofition.     Gentle  to  all,   he  was 
in  the  higheft  degree  tender  to  his  cor.forts  deceafed,  and  his 
children,  uncfer  the  maladies  of  many  years  continuance, 
with   which    it  pleafed  GOD   to  viftt  them.      During  this 
feafon  of  long  diftrefs,  aggravated  too  by  very  prefling  diffi 
culties  arifmu  from  the  narrownefs  of  his  circtur.ftances,  he 
preferved  an  unruffled  calmnefs,  a  moft  exemplary  patience 
and  liibmiffion  to  the  will  of  Heaven.      Not  a  repining  word 
was  heard  from  his  lips.     He  had  a  heart  that  felt  deeply 
for  the  unhappinefs  of  others ;  and  he  conftantly  appropri 
ated  a  tenth  part  of  his  income,  contracted  as  it   was,   to 
pious  and  charitable  ufes.     On  every  account  he  was  iblici- 
tous  to  maintain  the  honor  of  the  chriftian  character.     The 
fame  equable  firmnefs  and  compofure  of  mind,   which  had 
attended  him  thro'  life,   held  to  the  laft  ;  and  the  ferenity 
with  which  he  met  the  approach  of  death,  as   it  was  fup- 
ported  by   the  enlivening  hope   of  an   happy  immortality, 
afforded  a  ftriking  initance  of  the  divine  power  and  excellency 
ot   the   chriiiian  religion.     "  Mark    the   perfect   man,   and 
*'  behold  the  upright;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 
Pfa.  xxxvii.  37. 

HE  was  interred  this  afternoon  with  great  refpect,  the 
Minifters  and  many  other  Gentlemen  from  the  neighbouring 
towns  attending  his  funeral,  which  agreeably  to  his  own 
defire,  was  conducted  in  the  method  lately  introduced.  His 
corpfe,  preceded  by  the  fcholars,  was  carried  into  the 
HOLD  EN  Chapel,  where  a  funeral  oration  was  pronounced 
by  one  of  the  fenior  Students. 

His  only  fon  is  now  a  Tutor  in  the  College ;  and  his  only 
furviving  daughter  married  to  Mr.  Senuall,  lately  chofen 
HANCOCK  Profeffor  of  Hebrew  and  other  oriental  languages. 


The  poetical  Eflay  fubjoined  was  wrote  by 
a  young  gentleman,  a  ftudcnt  in  the 
College,  and  publifhed  in  theMaffachufeft 
Gazette,  No.  3179. 

Sacred  to  the  Mercery  0/"Dr.AViGGLE.sv/OF..TH. 

THE  prophet's  foul  has  bid  adieu  to  earth, 
Soar'd  on  cceleftial  wings,  and  gain'd  its  home; 
It's  native  home,  where  kindred  fpirits  throng, 
To  bid  it  welcome  to  the  heavenly  fhores. 
Forgive   my  mufe,  if  in  the  general   grief, 
Which   paints  a  iblemn  gloom   in  ev'ry   face, 
She  drops  a  tear  o'er   his    black-mantled  urn, 
And  mourns   his  exit  from  a  weeping  world, 

T'  eradicate  the  paffions   from    the  foul, 
To  be  unmov'd  with  depths  of  human  woe, 
Whate'cr  the  Stoicks  fay,  is  all  a  dream  : 
"Who  knew  our  frame,  of  man  the  greateft  friend, 
JESUS,  by   his   own  tears   at   Laz'rus'  tomb 
Mark'd  the  juft  debt   to   our   departed  friends. 
Roufe,   roufe,  my   mufe,    in   numbers   celebrate 
The  fage  divine  and   venerable  faint : 
"Who,   firm   and  placid,  ran   the  earthly  race, 
His  heart  unmov'd,   his  life  without  a  (lain. 

Strong  and  capacious  were  his  mental  pow'rs  ; 
His  judgment  clear  and  found  ;  his  diftion  pure  ; 
His  ev'ry  word  and  line,  full  fraught  with  fenfe, 
Deep  thought  befpoke  and  treafures  all  his  own. 
Great  were  his  talents  in  defence  of  truth  : 
"Tvvas  here  he  fhone  with  a  difiingu/lh'd  ray. 

How 


t  *  ] 

How  would  he   ftrip  fophiftic   arguments 
Of  ev'ry  fpecious   glare,     that  leads  aftray 
From  truth's  unerring  paths,  th'  unwary  mind  1 
How,  with  his  cogent  reafons,  ftrongly  urge 
The  grand,   th'  important  doctrines  of  his  Lord  • 
'Till,  clear'd  of  all  obfcurity  and    doubt, 
His  fubjects  fhone  bright  as  the  noon- day  fun  5 

Ye   fons  of  Harvard,  fay;  for   ye  can  tell, 
Who  once,  fo  highly  blelt,    fat  at  his  feet 
And  catch'd  th'  intlruclive  accents  from  his  tongue, 
His  weighty  truft  how  faithfully  difcharg'd  ; 
How  fteady  he  purfu'd  that  noble  aim  — 
To  form  your  morals,  to  inipire  your  hearts 
With  love  of  virtue,  and  pure  wiidom's  ways  j 
To  fill  your  minds  with  all-important  truths. 
Oh  WIGGLES  WORTH  !    could  wifdom,  learning,  fenfe> 
Protect  their  fons,  and  lave  them  from  the  tomb  : 
Could  meeknefs,  charity,    and  ev'ry  grace, 
That  e'er   combin'd  t'  adorn  a  human  foul, 
Their  vot'ries  fnatch  from  death's  rapacious  jaws, 
Sure  thou1,  bleft  fhade,  hadft  ne'er  become  his  prey. 

Ye  indigent,    bewail  the   gen'rous  man, 
Whofe  heart  humane  has  felt  for  your  diftrefs  ; 
Whofe  lib'ral  hand  has  oft  fupply'd  your  wants, 
And  dealt  it's  Godlike  favours  all  around. 
He  is  no  more  !    no  more  fhall  ye  partake 
Thofe  kind  reliefs  he  bounteoufly   beftow'd. 

Ye  children   of  the  dear  departed  faint, 
Witnefs  your  parent's  love,   whofe  tender  bread 
Felt  all  your  joys,  partook  of  all   your  griefs. 
"Wife  were  his  counfels,   gentle  his   reproofs : 
In  ev'ry  aft   parental   love   appear'd  : 
His  conduct    tended   to    excite    efteem. 
And  filial  piety  within  the  bread. 

But 


But  now.  alas  !   of  fuch  a  tender  fire 
Bereft,  what  words  can  fpeak  the  depths  of  woe  \ 
The  matchlefs  Grecian  painter,    when  he   drew 
The  horrors   in  each   countenance,   exprefs'd 
At   fig'it   of  Iphigenia   facrific'd, 
Near  Aulis,   on  the   cruel   Grecian  ftiores, 
Defpairing   of  his   fkill   to  repreient 
Her  agonizing   father's  deep  diltrefs, 
Conceal  d   his  face   beneath  his  mantling  robe. 
And  wifely   left  the  world  to   guefs   thai  grief, 
That  anguifh  which  his  penal   could  Hot  paint. 
Thus  ceaie,  my  pen,   t'  attempt   th'  unequal  talk, 
To  picture  woe  which  filence  better  fpeaks 
Than  all  th'  expreffive  language   mortals  ufe. 

Ye  friends  of  virtue,   friends  of  the  deceas'd, 
Come  mingle  tears,  and  vent  your  gen'rous  fighs  ; 
Weep  o'er  the  man,  whofe  tongue  was  wont  to  charm, 
Your  captivated  hearts  j    while  in  difcourfe 
From  his  warm  breall,   by    focial  virtues  fir'd, 

You  catch'd.  an  equal  flame. 

True  was  his  triendlhip,  for  his  open   heaVt 
Nor  knew"  deceit,  nor  brook'd    the  leaft  difguife. 
Serene   his;  ten>fg|£  undiiturb'd    by  cares  ; 
His  cnind,  fedate  in  ev'ry   fcene  of  life, 
Diiplay'd  the  chrillian,  who  unmov'd   by  ills, 
Can  fit  and  fmile,  while  earth's  foundations  fnakc. 

AVhile  fome,  whofe  lives  for  virtue  were  renown'd. 
Who  pafs'd  for  chriftians  of  diltinguiih  d  rank, 
Cou'd   only  boaft   of  fome    few   fhining  deeds, 
Like  fcatter'd  ftars  o'er  Other's  vail  expanfe  ; 
His  ev'ry  year,    with  virtuous    actions    crown 'd, 
Glow'd  like  the  milky  way,   thick  fet  with   ftars. 
Witnefs,  ye.  walls,   where  contemplation  rciga'd  ; 
Where  he  his  thoughtful  hours,  unweary'd,  fpent, 
"Witnefs  the  fervour  of  his  heav'nly  mind  ; 

How 


[     4     ) 

How,  while    he  mus'd  on  themes  divinely  Bright* 
His  raptur'd   foul   to  empyrean  flties 
Has  wing'd  it's  way,  and  view'd  the  bleft  abodes, 
Where  joys  perennial  dwell,  whence  blifsful  ftreams 
Of  pleafures,  ever  new,   flow  without  end  ; 
And   ravifh'd   faints   forever  tune  their  voice, 
To  fmg  that  love  which  rais'd  them  to  thofe  feats. 
Then  has  he  wifh'd  to  quit  his  earthly  frame, 
Which  kept  his  foul  a    pris'ner  here  confin'd, 
And   long'd  to  join  th*  aifembled  choirs  above, 
To  prove  thofe  joys,  and  mix  his  fongs  with  their's. 

Let  this  our  forrows  foothe,  and  dry  our  tears, 
That  death,   the  laft   of  foes,  has  loft  his  fting. 
Has  prov'd  a  friend  to  lonfe  the  weary  foul, 
And  raife  it  to  the  realms  of  endlefs  blifs. 
Now  he  imbibes  full  draughts  of  heav'nly  joy, 
From  living  fprings  faft  by  the  throne  of  God ; 
His  foul  is  free  to   range   the  azure  fields, 
And  fweets  inhale  from  ev'ry  fragrant  flow'r. 
Ceale  then,  ye  tears,  and  ceafe,  each  murm'ring  figh; 

Be  ev'ry  paffion   hufh'd. He  reigns  with  Chrift. 

1L 

Ye,   who  furvive,  thofe  virtues  make  your  own, 
Which  fhone  confpicuous  thro'  his  holy  life  : 
This  will  embalm  his  precious   mem'ry  more 
Than   panegyrics  of  fublimeft  ftrain. 

SYMPATHES, 


.  >•-  .-...-,.         .  -^.^ 


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